Research

The Evans laboratory studies biological mechanisms underlying the effects of lifestyle risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (e.g. stress, diet, and inflammation) on neuronal function and neurodegeneration. The lab examines neuroinflammation and selective neuronal vulnerability within brain circuits regulating arousal, attention, learning and memory and emotional behavior. Understanding mechanisms of neuronal vulnerability can advance targeted therapeutic strategies to improve the course of neurodegenerative disease and support healthy aging. Current projects address:

   1) Identify subpopulations of Locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic (NE) neurons that are vulnerable to stress-related neuroinflammation. Functionally distinct neuronal subpopulations may show differential susceptibility to degeneration.

   2) Uncover mechanisms of senescence and vulnerability of LC NE neurons. Using new mouse models carrying humanized late-onset AD risk alleles, we examine how environmental stressors interact with genetic susceptibility to contribute to LC degeneration, neuroinflammation, and cognitive decline.